The Goodbye

Chapter 22

With the case over, it was now time to return to New York City.

Connie had arrived to Boston by plane whereas Mike had rented a car. Even so, Mike had insisted that he accompanied her to the airport to see her off. She was more than happy to accommodate.

Sharing a taxi to the airport, Connie turned to view Mike as they sat in the backseat. She recalled when Douglas Merrick sat close to her, she had felt nothing. But with Mike, strange sensations took her as her whole body seemed to glow and she felt every distinct beat of her heart.

"What is it?" Mike tilted his head and looked questionably at her.

A pink blush rose to Connie's face, "Would it be odd if I told you I had a wonderful time at the news conference?"

"Not at all " Mike showed an air of playful confidence, "because often when I speak, the response is something equivalent to a standing ovation."

Connie managed a straight face, "That may be true... if the room was filled with three people..."

"...and one of the three was my mother," he further added.

She laughed.

It seemed to Mike that each time he interacted with Connie, every adversarial disagreement, every mocking bantering, was pure joy for him. He longed for more of it. He wanted to always be a part of her daily thoughts, to share every one of her secrets, and be with her anytime she was breathing.

Connie sat back in the seat of the taxi and contently stared out the window. The taxi seemed to curve along a labyrinth of tunnels and in no time, they had arrived at the entrance of Logan Airport.

The distinctive Boston central control tower, a local landmark with its pair of segmented elliptical pylons and six-story platform, loomed ahead of them. The airport terminal was just past the tower.

It was time to go back to New York City, go back to reality.

Inside the airport, the terminal was a massive, bright complex, full of people and rolling luggage rushing about. It didn't take long for Mike and Connie to arrive at the waiting area of the concourse. They both took a seat, knowing that soon there would be the announcement for Connie to board.

"Actually, Mike," said Connie, "I've already checked in my luggage, so it's a matter of waiting. There's no reason to keep you here, too. Besides, I'll see you at work in a couple of days."

Mike shrugged, "No, I'm staying right here...until it's time for you to go."

A pleased smile touched her lips, "That would be nice."

Connie wanted to savor this time with him. Sure, she would see him in New York City, but it seemed as if this trip to Boston had changed their entire dynamics, hopefully for the better.

"Connie, " Mike took a deep breath in, "I don't know what to make of our time here, but I hope this is the beginning for us."

"I feel the same way," she answered , before admitting, "but I'm scared too."

They were both distracted momentarily when a stranger walked past them.

The man had piqued their interest not because of his looks, but because of his demeanor and dress. Although this was an airport where people dressed in comfortable travel clothes, he was elegantly dressed in an evening tuxedo, holding an armload of roses.

His formal attire held most everyone's attention as he sauntered past everyone to stand next to the airport arrival door a gate away, patiently waiting, clutching the lovely bouquet of red roses.

It was obvious what his intentions were.

Mr. Tuxedo man was obviously anticipating the appearance of his significant other on the arrival flight.

Many of the women who were watching him from the waiting-room had purposely elbowed their partner. When they finally got the attention from their respective mates, the women would then proceed to gesture over in the optimistic man's direction with a "why can't you do that for me?" look on their faces.

Mike couldn't help but noticed how Connie, too, seemed to also be taken in with this very public show of love. Her entire face seemed to soften at the man's very sweet gesture.

"Do you see that, Mike?" Connie leaned in and her voice sounded whispery, "His girlfriend is one lucky woman!"

Mike's reaction was to bite his lower lip, knowing in the future he would be a letdown for her in the romance department. If she were expecting sweet words and flowers from him, it would not be.

"Connie, I don't do romance," he suddenly blurted out.

Connie slowly turned his way, not sure she heard right, "What?"

"It's just," Mike explained hesitantly, " that's not me. I don't do moonlit strolls, I don't do candlelit dinners, and I don't do slow dances. You need to know this about me…I don't know how to do those things..." his voice trailed off and he was unable to look at her.

His awkward confession seemed to touch something deep inside of Connie.

"Mike, I don't need any of those type of sweeping gestures."

He didn't look convinced as he faced her again, "You say that now..."

"if I wanted romance, Mike, " Connie worked to keep a straight face, "I wouldn't be here with you."

Mike's expression didn't change as he responded with a droll, "Thanks, Connie."

The corners of her mouth upturned.

"You know what I mean!" Connie stated.

"I know you said earlier you were scared," Mike reminded her, "I assume you were referring to me. I know I would be scared to be in my presence."

It was strange to see the ever-confident Mike Cutter so exposed, so vulnerable. Connie liked it.

"No, Mike, when I said I was scared, it was because I know how we are with one another, how we interact. Just look at us at court. We're combative and confrontational."

"Nothing wrong with being passionate about what we believe in," Mike pointed out.

"But in real life, we won't always have a judge between us" Connie stated with almost a sigh, "...sometimes I wonder if we can ever make it work."

""Connie," he stated quietly but certainty, "we can make anything work if we're in it together."

Connie heart gave an elated leap.

"I believe that, too," she softly agreed.

The voice through the speaker suddenly interrupted their private interlude.

"FLIGHT 408 TO NEW YORK CITY, PLEASE BOARD AT GATE 25A"

Exchanging hesitant smiles, they reluctantly stood, their eyes never leaving one another.

"So...I guess this is it," Mike stated, taking in a deep breath.

"This isn't a good-bye forever," Connie reminded him, "we'll see each other in two days."

"A long two days!" was his response.

Connie couldn't hide her pleased smile, as another thought entered her mind, "It'll be strange to see each other... back at work and all..."

"Just know that the first thing to greet you back at the office," Mike promised , "is a comforting brew of coffee I would've prepared just for you."

And he said he didn't do romance? Connie thought, as flutterings flickered within her.

"I'll looked forward to that," she assented.

The crowds had thinned out in the waiting room by now as most people had already began to board. The line to board was getting shorter and shorter. Time was running out.

"I should go," Connie said ruefully.

Connie had always hated goodbyes at airports. She was not the type to show public displays of affection. What should she do as they parted? Shake hands? Hug? A short kiss?

As she pondered, it was Mike who made the decision.

He took one of her hands lovingly in his. Then reverently bringing it up to his lips, he lightly grazed it as his piercing blue eyes watched her. The entire gesture sent chills down Connie's spine as a sweet sensation flowed throughout her body.

When he let go on her hand, they were held spellbound as they waited for the jerking of their hearts to slow to a normal pace.

"Go, now" Mike stated in a hushed tone, as he gestured with his head towards the gate's door, a dimpled smile slowing forming on his face.

It would be the hardest thing in the world for Connie to leave him.

Everyone else in the waiting room had moved on; she would be the last passenger to board.

Connie watched as Mike wordlessly reached down and handed the carry-on bag to her. Grateful, she accepted it, turned and walked towards the attendant, who was standing next to the departure door.

Connie felt saddened at the thought that with every step forward she took, it would mean a step further away from him.

As she handed the boarding pass to the attendant, she turned one last time to look back at the now emptied waiting room. Mike was the lone person standing there. With his hands stuffed in his pocket, he would do as he had promised...watch her until the plane took off.

When their eyes met from across the room, he slowly raised his hand in a heartfelt goodbye gesture, a smile shining on his handsome face.

The sight of his loving farewell deeply touched her and a thought suddenly occurred to her. She didn't need fancy clothes, roses or music for romance. They seemed so mundane to her now. No, her ideal romance didn't need a single thing...except Mike Cutter.

And with that realization in her heart, Connie turned to give him one last brilliant smile before she boarded the plane.

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The End

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Thank you soo much for reading/alerts/faves and reviews! I am ever so grateful to have so many wonderful readers! It truly makes me smile every time someone takes the time to read my story that I absolutely LOVED writing! I was also happy to give Mike and Connie the ending they deserved.

Please be on the lookout for my next story titled "It's Complicated". Although a Mike and Connie story it will be very different in tone. I hope you enjoy it. *Keeping my fingers crossed*

Happy Holidays!

And I wish you much love and romance in your life!

-DaisyDay

Please review for the last time!